Word Origin & History

grant early 13c., "what is agreed to," from Anglo-Fr. graunter, from O.Fr. granter, variant of creanter "to promise, guarantee, confirm, authorize," from L. credentem (nom. credens), prp. of credere "to believe, to trust." The verb is first attested c.1300. To take (something) for granted (1610s) is from the sense of "admitted, acknowledged."